Archive for the ‘Conferences’ Category

« Older Entries

MSSC joins 24 other states in Louisville, KY for National Gathering

Wednesday, August 8th, 2012

From the Gay Straight Alliance Network of California:

“GSA activists from across the country come together every summer at the National Gathering. The goal of the National Gathering is to support the GSA movement across the country and expand it to include even more states, cities and towns.”

This year’s event took place in Louisville, Kentucky and was hosted by The Louisville Youth Group. Among the attendees were representatives from a number of Southeastern states including Arkansas, Tennessee, Alabama, Georgia and Mississippi (of course). As part of this year’s gathering, states from designated regions were given time to plan regional action. The Southeastern region gathered to discuss making national tools and resources more culturally appropriate to the Southeast.  Other groups planned regional actions and coalition building.

Among the workshops presented were a Mississippi-led discussion on rural organizing, a New Mexico/Arizona-led discussion on the Two-Spirit Movement and one entitled Define Yourself to Empower Yourself which focused on labels and how they help to define identities. As the Mississippi representative, Anna C. was able to participate in a number of workshops including co-facilitating one on Teaching Racial Justice (a workshop previously presented at Southeastern LGBTQ Activist Camp and 2011 Q&A Youth Summit).

Overall friendships were made, regional bonds were strengthened and the Safe Schools movement was pushed forward as we caught a glimpse of the young leaders in this movement.

*Image courtesy of Gay Straight Alliance Network of California

Posted in Conferences | No Comments »

Thinking about starting a GSA in your school but not sure how? Attend National Gathering with MSSC!

Wednesday, July 11th, 2012

Every year, the Gay Straight Alliance Network and National Association of GSA Networks hosts a National Gathering for LGBTQ and Ally youth. This year, National Gathering will take place August 2nd – 4th in Louisville, Kentucky. MSSC will be taking two 8th – 12th graders. If you will be in the 8th-12th grade this fall, please take a moment to apply to attend National Gathering.

Two MSSC folks will be accompanying the youth. This is an incredible opportunity for any youth looking to start a GSA or strengthen their group. Workshops will include a variety of topics and will be youth-focused and for the most part youth-led. This year’s theme is GSA Organizing at the Intersections. Please consider attending National Gathering this year with MSSC. For information on past Gatherings please visit: http://www.gsanetwork.org/events/national-gathering

Applications are now closed

Posted in Conferences, GSA Development | No Comments »

William Winter Institute for Racial Reconciliation hosts 3rd annual Summer Youth Institute

Tuesday, February 28th, 2012

From The Winter Institute

This summer, the Winter Institute will be hosting the third annual Summer Youth Institute June 10-24 at the University of Mississippi. SYI is for Mississippi high school students currently in their freshman and sophomore years. The program emphasizes relationship building, history, diversity, and civic engagement through fun activities, field trips, and workshops. At the end of the program, students go home with a plan for a project to improve their communities and plenty of new friends here at the Institute and across the state. Best of all, SYI is free to students who are accepted into the program.

The Winter Institute is currently accepting applications from students across the state. Based on the applications, they will be interviewing about 50 students to fill 24 available spots. The priority application deadline for SYI is March 1st, though we are extending that through March 15th.

Check out the flyer for the program to the right. You can also learn more about SYI and find the online application at our website, http://youth.winterinstitute.org. If you have any questions about the program, contact Patrick Weems at phweems@gmail.com or 662-915-6734.

Find out more information about The William Winter Institute for Racial Reconciliation at

Posted in Conferences, Events | No Comments »

QYAB (and 3,000 others) attend Creating Change 2012 in Baltimore, Maryland

Tuesday, January 31st, 2012

(L-R) Izzy, Matthew, Anna at The National Gay & Lesbian Task Force's Creating Change 2012 - Baltimore, MD

written by Anna C. Davis (anna@mssafeschools.org)

This past week three members of MSSC’s Queer Youth Advisory Board (QYAB) attended the 24th Annual National Gay and Lesbian Task Force’s Creating Change Conference. To say the least, we had a blast!

What happens when you take 3,000+ queer and allies, throw them in a hotel in downtown Baltimore for a week of workshops, networking and conversation? You end up starting a wave of change. I can honestly say that my experiences at this conference were transformational. Creating Change can be a bit… overwhelming. The event kicked off with a day-long institute on Building an Anti-Racist Movement.

“The agenda provides participants opportunities to explore the intersections of race and sexualities, power and privilege and how to integrate racial justice tools into our everyday work. … storytelling, dynamic activities, conceptual frameworks and facilitated dialogue, we will create a learning environment where activists, community leaders, change agents, students and teachers from across our movement can do the self work needed in order to be effective instruments in creating change.”

During this day-long session, participants had the option to choose from a list of 9 workshops. The following days offered even more options for participants.

The Grid as it was lovingly called, helped direct participants to any number of tracks or workshops they may want to attend. Topics covered during the weekend included Aging, AIDS/HIV, Anti-violence/Bias Reduction, Art & Culture, Bisexual Community, Campus, Communications/Media & Messaging, Community Centers, Community Organizing, Disability, Economic Justice, Elections/Ballot Measures and Campaigns, Families, Fundraising, Gender Issues, Health, Immigration, International Issues, Labor, Legislative/Legal Reform and Public Policy, Marriage, Military/Veterans Issues, Movement Building, Organizational Development, Organizational Excellence and Capacity Building, People of Color, Practice Spirit/Do Justice, Racial Justice, Research and Policy, Rural, School Issues, Sexual Freedom, Transgender Community & Issues, Workplace, and Youth. The shear number of possible workshops to attend is enough to overwhelm even the most seasoned activist. For more information regarding the individual workshops or what each of those topics included check out the official Creating Change 2012 Program Book.

Speakers at the event included: Kate Clinton (Mistress of Ceremonies), Benjamin T. Jealous (President, CEO of the NAACP), Rea Carey (Executive Dir. National Gay and Lesbian Task Force), Wilson Cruz (actor – Noah’s Arc, My So-Called Life), Cary Alan Johnson (Ex. Dir. of International Gay & Lesbian Human Rights Commission), Nisha Ayub (Programme Manager of the Pink Triangle Foundation of Malaysia), Val Kalende (Freedom and Roam Uganda, Sexual Minorities Uganda), Joel Simpson (Founder – Society Against Sexual Orientation Discrimination in Guyana), Daniel B. Baer (Deputy Assistant Secretary, Bureau of Democracy, Human Rights, and Labor, U.S. Department of State) and Martin O’Malley (Governor of Maryland).

QYAB hopes to bring our experience back to Mississippi to develop an even stronger organization for the Mississippi’s queer and ally youth. And for those of you who missed out this year, Creating Change 2013 will be hosted in Atlanta, GA. While the registration price tag is enough to give anyone second thoughts, scholarship opportunities are available through the Task Force. Stay tuned for more updates on conference opportunities.

Posted in ... In The News, Anna C., Conferences, Events, Queer Youth Advisory Board | No Comments »

Want an all-expenses paid trip to D.C. to become a better advocate?

Wednesday, January 18th, 2012

 

I thought you might.

John and Audri, SSAS 2010

Head over to GLSEN (Gay, Lesbian, Straight Education Network) to check out their Safe Schools Advocacy Summit (SSAS) application. This year it will be held March 24th – 27th.

“For selected participants, SSAS is a completely free annual four-day conference focused on bullying and harassment in Washington, D.C. for students and non-students alike.” Participants are chosen from all over the U.S. to join in this conference, and in 2010 MSSC sent three participants to represent the state and our organization. John, Audri and Ashley had a chance to bond on the trip and to further network with other youth and adults from across the country.

Ashley J., SSAS 2010

The final day of the conference, the three visited the offices Mississippi Congressmen to advocate for youth in Mississippi. “Attending SSAS was an amazing experience for me. Two years in a row I was able to connect with other activists of all ages and backgrounds. All of us with the same ideas of lobbying for lgbt youth in schools. It was a pleasure to be chosen as a participant and presenter. SSAS helped me find my passion for politics,” said Ashley J.

 

The application (linked below) requires you to know who your elected officials are, if you aren’t sure we can help or check out http://www.congress.org/congressorg/directory/congdir.tt.

SSAS Attendees with Sen. Al Franken

Please visit the link below to apply.

http://action.glsen.org/page/s/ssas-2012

 

Posted in Conferences, Events, Resources, Trainings/Workshops | No Comments »

MSSC & USM’s Gay Straight Alliance present to Mississippi Department of Human Services

Saturday, November 19th, 2011

On November 9th, MSSC was asked to help co-present to the Mississippi Department of Human Services in partnership with The University of Southern Mississippi’s Gay/Straight Alliance, who coordinated the event. Anna of MSSC, Matthew of MSSC and USM’s GSA, and Daniel Cook of USM’s GSA presented at what became a mandatory meeting for social workers working in the DHS’s Gulfport office. Overall, Cook said it was a successful event particularly since the group was immediately asked back to do further trainings with other agencies in the area. To view a PDF version of their 30 minute presentation click to the left.

Additional materials presented to the social workers and case workers included the following materials from OutHealth.net:

Posted in Conferences, Events, Trainings/Workshops | No Comments »

MSSC to present at LGBTQI2-S conference aimed at “Dispelling Myths, Creating Safe Environments”

Tuesday, November 1st, 2011

This year MSSC has been asked to conduct workshops on LGBT Youth in Mississippi at numerous conferences  across the state. Tuesday November 8th, MSSC will be participating in the The Mississippi Transitional Outreach Project’s “Integrity in Services and Supports for LGBTQI2-S Youth: Dispelling Myths, Creating Safe Environments” conference in Jackson, MS. Some of the topics to be discussed include: LGBT Competency for Service Providers, Long Term Implications of Being a Gay Foster Youth, LGBT Wellness and Accessing Services and Supports in Mississippi. MSSC will be presenting on LGBT youth in schools specifically bullying and creating safer spaces on campuses.

From the Mississippi Department of Mental Health:

November 7-8, 2011
Jackson, MS
Integrity in Services & Supports for LGBTQ12-S Youth: Dispelling Myths, Creating Safe Environments

CE: This training has been awarded 10.0 hours for the following disciplines: Mental Health Therapist (DMH), Licensed DMH Administrator (DMH), Case Management Professional (DMH), Addiction Counselor (DMH), Social Worker (NASW), which includes 10.0 hours of SW Diversity and 1.0 hour of SW Ethics, Counselor/LPC (NBCC), Alcohol & Drug Counselor (NAADAC), and Psychologist (APA).

Planning Forms have been submitted for the review for Nurse (MS Foundation) & University CEUs (JSU).
Registration Contact: Jackie Chatmon (601.359.6216) or click here
Continuing Education Contact: DMH, Division of Professional Development 601.359.1288
Click here to download the flyer for the training workshop.

Posted in Conferences, Trainings/Workshops | No Comments »

QYAB attends GSA Network’s National Gathering in D.C.

Tuesday, August 16th, 2011

picture courtesy of Geoffrey Winder

Two members of the Queer Youth Advisory Board (QYAB) took part in GSA Network’s National Gathering held in Washington, DC. According to the GSA Network website,”The goal of the National Gathering is to support the GSA movement across the country and expand it to include even more states, cities and towns.” While attending National Gathering, QYAB members Audri Ingram and Anna C. Davis attended workshops ranging on topics including: the School-to-Prison Pipeline, Racial and Economic Justice, and Strategic Planning. Audri and Anna also facilitated a workshop on Gender Identity and Gender Expression. In the coming months, MSSC will be working more closely with GSA Network on a number of topics in Mississippi.

For more information on National Gathering and GSA Network please visit their website at http://www.gsanetwork.org/

from the GSA Network site:
“The National Gathering welcomes 55 to 75 participants each year. About two-thirds of all participants are youth leaders. Skilled youth trainers facilitate the majority of the workshops at the National Gathering. Staff from various states also lead trainings.

GSA activists from states with organizational members in the National Association of GSA Networks are welcome to apply, as part of the GSA network in that state. Check the National Directory to find out if your state has an organizational member. If your state does not have a member, you can Start a GSA Network in your state. Please contact us. You may be eligible to attend.”

Posted in Conferences, Resources, Trainings/Workshops | No Comments »

Department of Education holds first LGBT Youth Summit

Tuesday, June 28th, 2011

Izzy and Matthew in front of the Capitol Building

Members of MSSC attended the first-ever Federal LGBT Youth Summit, hosted by the Department of Education’s Office of Safe and Drug-Free Schools. Attendees included invited youth from across the country as well as researchers, teachers, and other members of the academic community.

Attendees included U.S. Secretary of Health and Human Services Kathleen Sebelius; Assistant Deputy Secretary Kevin Jennings, Office of Safe and Drug-Free Schools, U.S. Department of Education; as well as representatives from GLSEN (Gay, Lesbian, and Straight Education Network) and Hudson Taylor, Columbia University wrestling coach and founder of Athlete Ally.

The summit intends to bring together students, educators, administrators, and heads of federal and nonprofit agencies in order to provide information and seek solutions to issues facing LGBT youth.  According to the U.S. Department of Education’s website, “LGBT youths are a uniquely vulnerable population in America’s schools. Because they suffer at a higher rate than many of their peer groups from physical violence, bullying, anxiety and depression, LGBT youths are more prone to exhibit high-risk behaviors such as substance abuse, sexual risk-taking and running away from home.”

Daniel Cook and Hudson Taylor

While the goals of the summit may be long-range, the youth attendees have stated that  networking was one of the greatest benefits they gained from the summit. One MSSC member, Daniel Cook, created a Facebook page to help organize the attendees and their ideas about next steps. From the summit, MSSC board members have made connections with national groups like GLSEN and Athlete Ally as well as made connections to researchers in the area of LGBT research. These connections will only help to further MSSC’s Stories Project and School Climate Survey work.  For more information regarding this and other conventions please contact info@mssafeschools.org.

 

Posted in ... In The News, Conferences, Media, Queer Youth Advisory Board, Resources, Trainings/Workshops | No Comments »

Hip Hop Summit 2011

Tuesday, May 17th, 2011

Join youth from around the state of Mississippi for a two-day summit focusing on youth justice! Workshops on social justice and hip hop culture will help shape the Mississippi Youth Demand for Justice Movement! For more information contact Nancy Kohsin-Kintigh at nkohsinkintigh@aclu-ms.org, 601-354-3408.

The event will be held at Jackson State University from July 9, 8:30 a.m. until July 10, 5:00 p.m. It is free and open to youth ages 10 to 22.

Event Registration Form

Posted in Conferences | No Comments »

« Older Entries